Alamogordo High School and Academy Del Sol held their graduation ceremonies, Saturday, AHS at Tiger Stadium around 9 a.m. and Academy at the Tays Center at 2 p.m.

AHS had some 251 in the 2014 class, with 60 National Honor Society and 36 Golden Scholars. According to the programs, $2,067,822 in scholarships were awarded to AHS students.

The AHS graduation was well attended. The event ran out of programs before the 9 a.m. start time because of the unexpected number of people in attendance. People were still arriving at 9:30 a.m. Latecomers were still straggling in at 10 a.m. By that time, it was standing room only in the western stands.

Each speaker from the senior class president Michaela Van Wormer to class valedictorian Tanner Juedeman gave warm thanks to their teachers.

"You taught us; you cared about us, and you worried about us," said Wormer. "Today, though, is about the future. The choices we make: how we choose to live our lives and who we want to be.

Class Salutatorian Madison Burns, who gave the Farewell to Class address, spoke with humor and wit. "I am not going to give the classic speech... senile words of wisdom. Soon you will be hearing the names, most of them mispronounced.... We are now saying so long to the easiest part of our lives"

She too thanked the teachers, mentioning many by name. "I'm sure the colleges will be impressed that we know how to write in complete sentences. No matter how the state ranks them, all the teachers here are highly effective. Now we have to worry about how long it will take to pay off our college loans."

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Juedeman took time to show appreciation for his fellow students.

The acoustics, accompanied by the crying babies, the occasional blast of an air horn, shouts, hoots and howls, combined to make some of the speeches inaudible, but the applause and laughter indicated that the messages were well received, and all who attended shared one thing in common, pride in the accomplishment of their family members who accepted their diplomas Saturday.

The Academy Del Sol, with 50 student graduates, was unrivaled for its exuberance. Pomp and Circumstance was played with a beat. Principal Pamela Engstrom said at least, one of the students did not know until 11 a.m. that she was going to graduate. Six received the President's Award. Two students, Alex Wallace and Trinity Zuniga received multiple awards and scholarships in recognition of their achievements, including a scholarship from the Breakfast Lyons Club.

The oldest graduate was Ruby Lillian Lowe, at 72 years young. She received a standing ovation when she stood to speak. She told the audience and her fellow students: "It's been a long journey, but after 56 years I finally made it."

The ADS teachers, counselors and staff also received the applause of their students when Wallace thanked them for their "love patience and support, and God only knows how many hours."

Billie Velasco of New Mexico State University - Alamogordo Foundation Board reminded the students "to hold on to their dreams ... Desire is what motivates them, desire alone pushes them onto their dreams."

Alamogordo Public School Superintendent Dr. George Straface admitted he was sad that the Academy Del Sol was his last graduation, "but after 20 years it is time."

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